1892 S Barber Dime

[LaCajaRoja]

I have an 1892 S Barber Dime I found with a metal detector recently. It has an encrustation of grey gunk all over it, but I don't dare try to remove it. As it is, it's hard to tell just how good or bad is it's condition.

Any suggestions?

[burgyeb]

Can you post a pic? Many would suggest not cleaning the coin. There are professional coin cleaners you might want to consult with.

[LaCajaRoja]

My first attempt to post a pic, so I hope it works out.

The coin appears pretty worn, but how much is hard to tell. The crust looks thick. The back side is actually better.

[terry5732]

It is unusual for silver to be so badly degraded by soil

It is possible it is an old fake made of another metal

If it is real, it will not be restored from that look to anything better. That would be deeply ethed into the metal.

[LaCajaRoja]

Thanks for your information. That's pretty much what I thought, too.

What a crime! A relatively rare date coin destined for the trash bin.

[terry5732]

It is still worth more than scrap as a filler

[LaCajaRoja]

I've found silver coins here that are in the same condition. They will clean up with CLR and silver tarnish remover, but I know that will destroy the value of a collectible coin. That's why I asked the original question hoping somebody had a magical non-chemical method.

[stevecassid]

I have heard iso alchol works well

[nesgamazers]

I've found silver coins here that are in the same condition. They will clean up with CLR and silver tarnish remover, but I know that will destroy the value of a collectible coin. That's why I asked the original question hoping somebody had a magical non-chemical method.

You could try one of those magic erasers.I love them they clean without scratching very well.idk how well they would work on coins but it's worth a try.

Also your coin appears to have been in a high concentration of salt or lime?

[TiasTreasures]

My Red Book is a couple of years old, but even that says a G-4 1892S Barber dime is worth $65. That's the grade if the word "Liberty" is completely obliterated. You don't show the reverse, if it's better than the obverse, this is worth at least that much even in its current condition.

I've also read that acetone will sometimes soften gunk on coins enough to be remove it without damaging them. If you try it, be careful not the breath the fumes, it's nasty stuff.